House of Delegates (HOD)

The HOD is the policymaking body of the MMS. Members of the MMS HOD serve as an important communications, policy, and membership link between the MMS and grassroots physicians. Each delegate is a key source of information on policies, activities, and programs of the MMS. The HOD meets twice a year — in the spring and fall — for two days.

About the HOD 

• The Role of the HOD and Delegate Responsibilities
• HOD Attendance Bylaw Information
• New Delegate Orientation Recording
  View the recording here. New delegates (and those who would like a refresher) are welcome to attend view this recording. Topics include:
  • Your role as a delegate
  • Preparing for and participating in the HOD meeting
  • The policymaking process and basic parliamentary procedures
• Reference Committees
• MMS Parliamentary Training Video 
• "Interrupting Motions" Training Video
  • "Interrupting Motions" Handout 
• Leadership Meetings and Deadlines
  

Composition

The HOD is composed of delegates elected by the district medical societies and in addition:

• One delegate from each designated medical specialty society as provided in 5.03
• Two delegates duly authorized from the student membership in each medical school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Medical Student Section primary and secondary trustee as provided in 6.021
• Eight delegates from the Resident and Fellow Section as provided in 6.031
• One delegate from the Organized Medical Staff Section of the Society, one delegate from the Academic Physician Section of the Society, one delegate from the International Medical Graduate Section, one delegate from the Minority Affairs Section, one delegate from the Women Physicians Section, and one delegate from the Early Career Physicians Section
• The President, President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Speaker, and Vice Speaker
• The President and Secretary of each district medical society
• Chairs of all standing committees of the Society
• Past Presidents of the Society
• Delegates-at-large, as recommended by the Board of Trustees, may be elected by the House of Delegates 
• The President of the Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance
• Trustees from each district medical society
• The President of the Boston Medical Library, if also a member of the Society

Governance Resources

• Policy Compendium (.pdf) and Sunset Compendium  (.pdf)
• Procedures of the House of Delegates  (.pdf)
• MMS Act of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Code of Ethics (.pdf)

HOD Resolutions/Reports/Other

• I-24 Complete Delegates' Handbook 
• Resolution Submittal Guidelines and Template
• Resolution Writing Guidance Recording 
  This brief recording explains the basics on resolutions, resources for help/input, tips on writing resolutions, etc.

Final House Votes

• Interim Meeting 2024 Final House Votes - Reference Committee A 
• Interim Meeting 2024 Final House Votes - Reference Committee B 
• Interim Meeting 2024 Final House Votes - A, B Combined 

HOD Proceedings

• 2024 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 594 pages)
• 2023 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 500 pages)
• 2023 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 602 pages)
• 2022 Interim Meeting  (.pdf 498 pages)
• 2022 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 767 pages)
• 2021 Interim Meeting  (.pdf 479 pages)
• 2021 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 580 pages)
• 2020 Interim Meeting (.pdf 764 pages)
• 2020 Annual Meeting  (.pdf 166 pages)
• 2019 Interim Meeting  (.pdf 483 pages)
• 2019 Annual Meeting  (.pdf 662 pages)
  
• 2018 Interim Meeting  (.pdf 583 pages)
  
• 2018 Annual Meeting  (.pdf 683 pages)
  
• 2017 Interim Meeting  (.pdf 496 pages)
  
• 2017 Annual Meeting  (.pdf 753 pages)
  
• 2016 Interim Meeting  (.pdf 459 pages)
• 2016 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 564 pages) 

Index of House Votes

• 2024 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 101 pages)
  
• 2023 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 37 pages)
  
• 2023 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 94 pages)
  
• 2022 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 49 pages)
  
• 2022 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 106 pages)
  
• 2021 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 34 pages)
  
• 2021 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 93 pages)
  
• 2020 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 103 pages)
  
• 2019 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 30 pages)
  
• 2019 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 81 pages)
  
• 2018 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 36 pages)
  
• 2018 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 94 pages)
  
• 2017 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 26 pages)
  
• 2017 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 105 pages)
  
• 2016 Interim Meeting  (.pdf, 34 pages)
• 2016 Annual Meeting  (.pdf, 79 pages)